Neumann's Flash Earthcache EarthCache
Neumann's Flash Earthcache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A short earthcache taking you around Newmanns Flash. The coordinates posted above are for the location of the flash.
Its industrial history has left a legacy of unique site conditions that allow many unusual species to thrive; the presence of salt has allowed several seaside plants to establish, whilst the areas recent industrial use as lime beds allow other species such as the rare dingy skipper butterfly to thrive.
A number of plants associated with alkaline soils grow on the site including fragrant orchid, marsh helleborine, ploughman's spikenard, and yellow-wort. A variety of ducks, waders, and other waterbirds occur and numerous rarities have been recorded such as broad-billed, stilt sandpipers, Caspian, and whiskered terns.
The mining subsidence created this flash as there were a dozen mines nearby. A few of these were Marston Pool Mine near the canal and Witton Mill Mine near the flash.
A flash would be formed from when a mine gets shut off at the enterance but the internal wooden sturcture stays. Over a few decades the wooden structure will age and shortly after collapse. This then creates a sump at ground level which is a is a low space that collects any often-undesirable liquids such as water or chemicals. A sump can also be an infiltration basin used to manage surface runoff water and recharge underground aquifers. Also known as a shallow. Depending on the permeability of the ground above, this shallow or sump may fill with water and create a flash like Neumanns flash.
To claim this Earthcache you need to visit a few locations around the flash. Parking is available at Witton Mill which is free and I suggest you do them in this order. Note: The Car Park is locked at 5pm. Other Parking is available at N53 16.230 W002 29.772 but you might have to do the locations in a different order.
At N53 16.190 W002 30.351 at the info board
What was the year of the great subsidence?
The number of wild flowers on the left hand side of the notice board?
How many years did the land continue to subside into the collapsed mine caverns?
At N53 16.552 W002 30.201
Take a picture of yourself or your GPS or both at the stated coordinates for point two with the flash in the background?
Estimate how wide you think the flash is?
For example 300 metres wide?
At N53 16.287 W002 29.846
The number of blue pools on the map?
Then return along the path to the car park.
Send your answers to me and please do not post any of your answers in your log.
Please do not enter the fenced off areas. There are paths all the way round the flash. Be safe and happy caching.
Thanks to the ranger for permission for the cache.
Congratulations to RedFerret for the FTF.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)